Black Canyon Solo Hikes That Will Make for a Great National Park Solo Trip
Black Canyon National Park is the least visited National Park in Colorado. The state’s Rocky Mountain National Park receives over 4 million visitors, while Black Canyon receives less than half a million visitors.
Noah’s take: I visited Black Canyon during a solo trip to Utah. The park’s South Rim is only 3 hours away from the popular Arches National Park, but most visitors to Arches don’t make it to Black Canyon.
Visiting Arches? Read Arches Solo Hikes: 5 Trails That Are Perfect for Solo Hiking
Since this is a less popular park, it is a very enjoyable place for solo hiking. Solo hikes are always more peaceful in quieter parks. However, since it is a national park, you will still encounter some crowds while hiking in this park.
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What You Need to Know About Hiking in Black Canyon National Park
Like the Grand Canyon, there is a North and South Rim. All the hikes listed in this guide are in the more accessible South Rim.
Noah’s take: If you want a more typical national park experience, head to the South Rim. If you want even more space in nature and you are willing to drive on some gravel roads, you should head out to the North Rim.
In the South Rim, the most popular activity is driving the scenic South Rim Road. The drive is 7 miles from Tomichi Point to High Point and has 12 overlooks. Most of these overlooks are short trails, so hiking is somewhat limited in the South Rim.
Luckily, while solo camping at Black Canyon, I found some trails in the South Rim, perfect for solo hiking.
Where Should You Camp in Black Canyon National Park?
In the South Rim, there is one campground. There are 88 sites, and 23 of them have electric hookups. The campground itself has few amenities and is nothing special, but it is only one mile from the South Rim Visitor Center.
According to the National Park Service website, reservations may be made on recreation.gov for mid-May to mid-October, and it is first-come, first-served after that.
Noah’s take: If you plan to camp at Black Canyon during the warm season, try to make your online reservation a few months in advance. You might have better luck at this park since it is less popular, but it is best to plan ahead when camping in a national park.
What Makes a Trail Best for Solo Hiking?
I first started solo traveling to national parks because the pandemic upended my plans to travel to Africa. Hiking in such beautiful places offered me a sense of wonder and accomplishment.
Likewise, many other travelers found enjoyment at the parks during the pandemic, and now, national park visitation numbers are skyrocketing.
Because of this, the most iconic and popular hikes are not ideal for solo hiking unless you go early in the morning. Trails that are longer and more difficult are best for escaping the crowds and feeling present in nature.
Is It Safe to Solo Hike in Black Canyon National Park?
Read: Is It Safe to Hike Alone? 10 Solo Hiking Tips
In my experience, national parks are one of the safest places to solo hike. You have park rangers on site to answer questions. Trails are usually maintained and documented well
Noah’s take: Most trails in Black Canyon fall into this category, and most trails in the South Rim are not strenuous.
Solo hiking in national parks becomes more dangerous when hiking a Wilderness Route. These trails are more physically and mentally demanding and are not the best fit for a beginner solo hiker.
If you want to hike down into the canyon, most likely, you will be hiking a Wilderness Route.
Keep reading to learn about getting a permit for hiking a Wilderness Route.
What Are the Best Trails in Black Canyon National Park for Solo Hiking?
- If you are an experienced solo hiker and want a challenge, try the Gunnison route.
- If you are a solo photographer and want unforgettable photos, hike the Gunnison Route, Dragon Point, and the Warner Point Nature Trail.
- If you are a solo traveler looking for peace and reflection, stroll along the Oat Flat Loop Trail and Cedar Point Nature Trail.
Catch Your Breath on the Exciting Gunnison Route
- Distance: 1.7 miles
- Elevation Gain: 1,771 feet
- Difficulty: Hard
If you want a bit of adventure during your solo trip, you should take the Gunnison Route. This is the most popular way to hike down into the canyon and is known to be a very challenging hike.
Noah’s take: It is definitely challenging. There are a lot of rock scrambles, and you will have to endure a lot of elevation gain. Gloves are recommended for gripping a few of the chains that help assist hikers down the mountain.
Although the hike is a little technical, you do not need any technical equipment, but it is beneficial to be exposed to the high elevation before taking on this challenge.
Noah’s take: When I hiked this exciting trail, I faced the most difficulty climbing back up from the Gunnison River. I was not adjusted to the elevation yet because I had just returned to the U.S. after living a year in Japan. I felt sick and had to take it very slowly.
How to Get a Permit for the Gunnison Route?
As of November 2023, you need a permit to hike the Gunnison Route. Outside the South Rim Visitor’s Center, you will find an information stand with a compartment containing Gunnison Route permits. This permit box also holds permits to hike any of the Wilderness Routes, not only the Gunnison Route.
On the day of your hike, you will need to open the compartment and retrieve a permit. If no more permits are left, you cannot hike the trail. After you have filled out all the required information, you will detach the front of the permit and put it back into a slot.
Noah’s take: I recommend trying to get to the visitor’s center early (before 8 a.m.) to get a permit. You can still get a permit even if the visitor’s center is closed.
If you can’t get a permit to hike the Gunnison Route, you can take the only route down the canyon that does not require a permit, Devil’s Backbone.
Take a Solo Stroll Along the Oak Flat Loop Trail
- Distance: 1.4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 334 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
Gunnison Route actually follows the Oak Flat Loop Trail for a few switchbacks. Once you reach a sign that says “Wilderness Permit Required,” you will reach the Gunnison Route.
If you want to head down the calmer Oak Flat Loop, you will get left at this sign. Although this trail is not as exciting as Gunnison Route, it still has some nice views of the canyon.
Noah’s take: If you happen to take a solo trip to Black Canyon in the fall, this is a great trail to see fall foliage because it is full of gorgeous aspen trees. Unfortunately, I was a few weeks too late, so I missed the most dramatic colors.
Stop at the Dragon Point Trail for a Great View of the Gunnison River
- Distance: .4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 59 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
As I mentioned above, the most popular activity in the park is driving the scenic South Rim Road and stopping at some of its 12 overlooks. Of the 12 overlooks, the National Park Service recommends those with limited time should visit Gunnison Point, Chasm View, Painted Wall, and Sunset View.
Noah’s take: Dragon Point is a somewhat overlooked stop along the South Rim Road, but it is one of my favorite overlooks. Known as a good spot for sunset, here, only a small wall separates you from the canyon’s depth.
Dragon Point Trail is nice because it requires some hiking to reach, while many overlooks are right off the road. It is also great for a solo trip because it is less popular, so you should have plenty of space to admire the deep canyon in front of you.
Find Peace and Quiet at Cedar Point Nature Trail
- Distance: .4 miles
- Elevation Gain: 52 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
Another underrated spot along the South Rim Drive is the Cedar Point Trail. It is a very easy, short hike to an overlook of the canyon.
Noah’s take: I was the only person on this trail during the middle of the day, which was very unexpected. The calm atmosphere was perfect to take in the view and sounds of the roaring canyon below.
Cedar Point is great for reflecting, but it is also great for learning. If you want to learn more about Black Canyon’s plant life, there is signage along the trail about the various flora and fauna on the trail.
See the Diverse Topography of Colorado Along the Warner Point Nature Trail
- Distance: 1.5 miles
- Elevation Gain: 423 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
At the very end of the South Rim Drive, you will find Warner Point, a popular hike with a great view of the Gunnison River and the Black Canyon.
Noah’s take: Even though it is popular, you won’t be elbow-to-elbow with other hikers. This is not the most accessible trail in the park, and the parking lot is fairly small.
Although the views of the canyon were impressive, I think the highlight of this trail is the views of the San Juan Mountain Range, West Elk Mountains, and Uncompahgre Valley.
While hiking Warner Point, I realized how diverse Colorado really is. There are snow-capped mountains in one direction, and in the other, there is a barren desert.
Noah’s take: There are so many canyon overlooks in this park that it can seem repetitive like you are seeing the same thing over and over. Hiking Warner Point is a great way to break up the monotony.
Love solo hiking? Read more of my solo hiking guides.